Holy Cross vs. TCNJ

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA with The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The College of New Jersey is larger than Holy Cross based on total student enrollment (8,141 students vs. 3,126 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); The College of New Jersey is in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Holy Cross 9:1; The College of New Jersey 14:1.

Holy Cross vs. TCNJ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross or TCNJ? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The College of New Jersey than Holy Cross ($25,580 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 20.4% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($14,976 vs. $18,820).
• College of the Holy Cross is 228.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCNJ (about $44,868 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $19,632.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 150.5% higher at Holy Cross than at The College of New Jersey (about $38,748 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The College of New Jersey than at College of the Holy Cross (59% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Holy Cross students is 231.8% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($44,334 vs. $13,360).

Holy Cross vs. TCNJ Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Holy Cross or TCNJ? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between TCNJ and Holy Cross.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of the Holy Cross (1330) is 90 points higher than at TCNJ (1240).
• Incoming Holy Cross students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at TCNJ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410; The College of New Jersey 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 27/32; The College of New Jersey 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross - Test optional; TCNJ - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027; TCNJ Feb 1, 2027.
• TCNJ has a higher acceptance rate (62.3%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 49.6% at Holy Cross vs. 19.7% at TCNJ.

Holy Cross vs. TCNJ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross and TCNJ? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• College of the Holy Cross's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than The College of New Jersey's (87%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $18,300 more per year than TCNJ graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $62,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($240 vs. $284).
• More Holy Cross graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TCNJ students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 85%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.